PUPILS in Old Sodbury unveiled their new £11,000 play equipment at a special ceremony, funded by donations, grants and events held by the community.


Pupils at Old Sodbury C of E Primary School held the unveiling event on Monday, March 9 to celebrate the completed play area and thank sponsors for their donations and support.


The children designed a castle/fort structure which was handed to a local play equipment supplier Playahead as a blueprint and created at a cost of just over £11,000 with funds raised by the charitable group, The Friends of Sodbury School Association (FOSSA), through a variety of social events and activities over the last two years.


The funding was also made available through donations from local trusts and groups including The Townsland Trust, Sodbury Town Council, the school itself and donations from parents.


The children also designed and painted wooden shields, organised by a local artist and parent, Zoe Vale, to serve as a legacy project of their time at the school.


Christina Williams, parent and FOSSA member, said: "It what was a lovely morning and we had parents and representatives from Rotary, Denman Trust and Lions, all local organisations.


"It has been a very happy project to be involved with. The children have been in the centre of this from the initial own designs to getting the financial backing and support of parents and local organisations, finishing with into the celebration ceremony.


"It is incredible to think that we managed to get it all from local sources.


"Old Sodbury is a very forward thinking and child-centric school, who put as much of their learning as they can in creative and outdoors- forest school, art, science experiments and PE, being prime examples.

"Having investments in outdoor facilities is key to all that and something we parents are delighted to help out with."